Islamist parties appear to have won a majority of votes in the pivotal first round of Egypt’s parliamentary elections conducted this week. If confirmed Thursday, the results from voting in Cairo, Alexandria and other key centres will put Egypt on course to forming an Islamist government.

The prospect sends a shiver down the spine of Mohamed Awad, director of the Alexandria and Mediterranean Research Centre. He and many other Egyptians fear the creation of an Islamist state might curtail certain academic and other freedoms.

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